2008 PRevIew

Quarterback➢ Senior Kevin Brockway enters fall camp as the

heir apparent to Luke Drone, a three-time All-Valley Football Conference selection. Brockway backed up Drone for the last three seasons, and his time on the job is minimal. Brockway completed his only pass attempt in 2007 and enters the 2008 season with five pass attempts in his career. The tools are there. He has a strong, accurate arm, but just lacks game reps.

➢ Challenging Brockway for the job will be sophomore Preston Earl and redshirt freshman Drew Kiel. Both Earl and Kiel have NFL bloodlines.

➢ Despite Drone’s gaudy numbers as the Redbird quarterback over the last three years, the Illinois State offense will focus on eliminating turnovers. In ISU’s last 14 games, the Redbirds threw 28 interceptions.

➢ Freshman signee Matt Brown, from Marion, Ill., also joins the roster. Brown passed for 6,001 yards during his prep career.

KEvin BrocKway

running Back➢ Junior returnee Geno Blow was ISU’s leading rusher

in 2007, before his season ended prematurely with a fractured left hand. Prior to the injury, Blow posted five-straight 100-yard rushing games, including a season-best 167 yards against Northern Iowa.

➢ Parrish Fisher appears to be refocused for a banner senior year, after transferring from Kansas State. Fisher rushed for 192 yards last season on 38 carries, but only had one rushing attempt in ISU’s last seven games.

➢ Senior transfer walter Mendenhall, junior cortes rice and redshirt freshman cliffton Gordon will each challenge for playing time.

➢ Junior Garin Harcar will anchor the fullback position after earning six starts at the spot in 2007. Redshirt freshmen casey cline and James Hoyt will both challenge Harcar for time, while osric Hayes and Mike Slack provide additional depth.

➢ Incoming freshmen Barima akuoko, Kane Keirnan and Brett werner-Powell will also be in the mix.

GEno BLow

wide receiver➢ Similar to the running backs, the Redbirds will need to

replace their top receiver, Jason Horton. However, ISU returns eight of its top-nine pass catchers this season, including junior Eyad Salem. After transferring from Minnesota State-Moorhead, Salem caught 31 balls for 460 yards and four touchdowns last season with the Redbirds.

➢ Salem will be challenged by senior Jake rourke, who started seven games last season.

➢ Senior Kelvin chandler will likely start at the other wide-out position, but he will have to fend off senior Kevett Mickle and redshirt freshman Marcus King for playing time.

➢The Redbirds have quality depth at the position with warren Mccarty, Drew Kempe, Matt Mose and Dean Eastman all competing for time.

➢The position gets even deeper with the addition of true freshman Dekendrick Moncrief.

EyaD SaLEM

Tight End➢Senior Kedric Meredith returns as a two-year starter

and is coming off his most prolific offensive season with a career-best 16 catches for 179 total yards and two touchdowns. He continues to be one of the league’s most dominant blockers at the position.

➢Redshirt freshman cody white will get in the mix, while redshirt freshman casey cline will see time at tight end, in addition to fullback.

➢White is the future at this position. His big, 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, coupled with his soft hands, makes him a prototypical tight end.

➢ In addition to losing Jeremy Joynt to graduation, the Redbirds also lost sophomore Dane Zumbahlen at tight end, as Zumbahlen makes the move to offensive tackle.

KEDric MErEDiTH

JonaTHan ST-PiErrE

offensive Line➢ Illinois State returns just two of five starters

on the offensive line. The biggest position the Redbirds will have to fill is left tackle. isaiah wiggins, a two-time first-team All-Valley Football selection, is gone to graduation, but chris riley is ready to take the baton after making his first-career start in the season finale at Southern Illinois. Backing up Riley will be former tight end Dane Zumbahlen.

➢ ISU’s most experienced lineman is senior Joe niklasch, who has started the last 24 games for the Redbirds at right guard. Niklasch will anchor the right side of the line, while senior Landon Humbles adds some depth.

➢ Senior Jonathan St-Pierre is the other returning starter for the Redbirds. St-Pierre has started 20-straight games at center since transferring from Miami (Fla.). Redshirt freshman charles Dennis will backup the 305-pound St-Pierre.

➢ Senior Erik Madsen has been groomed to be the starter at left guard. Madsen backed up both guard positions in 2007, and played in all 11 games. He also started the first four games in 2006 at center. Redshirt freshman cal Mccarthy is slated as the backup, while nick Bledsoe also adds depth.

➢The right tackle position is also up for grabs, but sophomore Michael cross appears to be slated for the job. Cross saw limited action last season, but at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, he has the frame for the position. Redshirt freshman Tyler Doering will also be in the mix.

➢True freshmen Pete cary, cory christianson, Billy Dickson, Jon ingerman, Brannon Sanford and Mike Seefeld are all likely redshirt candidates for 2008, but provide a solid foundation for the future.

2008 Offensive Outlook

28

2008 Defensive Outlook

rUSHinG aTT yarDS avG TD Geno Blow 143 776 5.4 8 Parrish Fisher 38 192 5.1 1 Cortes Rice 30 162 5.4 3

PaSSinG coMP aTT yarDS TD-inT Kevin Brockway 1 1 15 0-0 Preston Earl 0 1 0 0-0

rEcEivinG no yarDS avG TD Eyad Salem 31 460 14.8 4 Kevett Mickle 28 343 12.2 2 Garin Harcar 19 137 7.2 2 Kedric Meredith 16 179 11.2 2

TacKLES TT UT aT Tom Nelson 41 45 86 Brandon Wilson 19 31 50 Kelvyn Hemphill 29 17 46 Jason Tate 28 16 44 Chris Garrett 27 16 43

TacKLES For LoSS/SacKS TFL SacKS Brandon Wilson 7.5 1.5 Adam Blankenship 2.5 2.0

inTErcEPTionS no yarDS avG TD Tom Nelson 2 33 16.0 0 Kelvyn Hemphill 1 -3 -3.0 0

Defensive Line➢ adam Blankenship and Tom Speer, along with junior-

college transfers Doni Phelps and Michael rhines, will all compete for starting jobs at end. Blankenship started all 11 games last season, and is poised for a productive senior season. Speer is coming back from an elbow injury that forced him to miss the final seven games of 2007. Phelps posted huge sack numbers at City College of San Francisco in 2007.

➢ ray Sankey, Babtunde Soyebo, Keenan wimbley and wesley williams will each compete for time at end.

➢ In the middle, ISU returns Mike Piton and nick williams. Piton started all 11 games and Williams earned six starts. Junior-college transfer Blake Gumm, a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com, is expected to have an immediate impact. Sophomore Dave rivas and redshirt freshman Eric Brunner will also challenge.

➢ True freshmen Mario Bailey, nick Broome, Brian Hehl and Pat wertz add depth.

aDaM BLanKEnSHiP

Linebacker➢ Heading into the 2008 season, the ISU linebacking

corps appears to be the area with the most concern. The Redbirds will need to replace two starters, including the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s top tackler from last season, Kye Stewart.

➢ To strengthen the linebacking corps, former defensive end Brandon wilson was moved to outside linebacker during spring drills. Wilson led all ISU defensive linemen with 50 tackles in 2007. Wilson, along with Kyle Siskowic, will vie for the starting spot on the strong side.

➢Tommie westbrook and senior Pat cucci will be battling for the middle linebacking position, while redshirt freshman Mark Martin and true freshman Jayme comer, another three-star prep recruit, will add depth.

➢ On the weak side, anthony Trujillo and Josh Howe will compete for the starting nod, while junior-college transfer Keauntea Bankhead will also get into the mix. Senior andrew Paschal adds depth.

BranDon wiLSon

Defensive Back➢ Defensively, the Redbirds have the most experience

in the secondary. With three of four starters returning, including two-time All-Valley Football selection and ISU’s top-returning tackler, Tom nelson, the Redbird secondary should be the strongest area on the defensive side.

➢ With Nelson returning at free safety, sophomore Kelvyn Hemphill will move from cornerback to the strong safety position. Junior-college transfer Khenon Hall will add depth at strong safety, along with Graham corcoran and Brent Holtz. Nelson will be backed up by sophomore casey Kociuba and Jermaine Malcolm.

➢ Juniors chris Garrett and Jason Tate will anchor the corner positions, while Hemphill and antonio adams will provide additional depth.

➢ Redshirt freshman Josh Mitchell and true freshmen austin Davis and reggie Dozier will also challenge for time in the secondary.

ToM nELSon

Special Teams➢ Senior Bobby Kelsey returns for his third season of

punting duties. Kelsey will be challenged by Rutgers transfer Kyle cinzio.

➢ In 2007, the Redbirds changed place-kickers almost as often as the leaves changed colors. By the end of the season, Steven Fetzer was ISU’s primary kicker, but Kevin Mazur also held the job for a period of time. Both will be pushed with the signing of Auburn transfer Zach Kutch. The junior kicker was ranked as one of the nation’s top-10 place-kickers coming out of high school by Rivals.com.

➢Junior Joe Doyle did not have a bad snap last season, while handling all the short- and long-snapping chores. Adding depth is redshirt freshman nathan rebholz.

BoBBy KELSEy

returning Statistical Leaders

KEvETT MicKLE KELvyn HEMPHiLL

29

no. name Pos. Ht. wt. yr. Hometown (HS/Previous college)

Antonio Adams CB 6-1 195 Jr.-Sq. Urbana, Ill. (Urbana)

2 Barima Akuoko TB 6-1 200 Fr.-HS Springfield, Ill. (Southeast)

54 Mario Bailey DL 6-2 220 Fr.-HS Kankakee, Ill. (Kankakee)

46 Keauntea Bankhead LB 6-0 220 Jr.-TR Seattle, Wash. (Ballard/Arizona Western CC)

93 Adam Blankenship DL 6-2 235 Sr.-2L Tulsa, Okla. (Union/Nebraska)

74 Nick Bledsoe OL 6-1 295 Fr.-RS Wheeling, Ill. (Wheeling)

22 Geno Blow TB 5-11 195 Jr.-2L Seabrook, Texas (Clear Lake)

12 Kevin Brockway QB 6-4 225 Sr.-3L Crystal Lake, Ill. (South)

94 Nick Broome DL 6-4 240 Fr.-HS Columbus, Ind. (East)

13 Matt Brown QB 6-4 210 Fr.-HS Marion, Ill. (Marion)

55 Eric Brunner DL 6-2 255 Fr.-RS Greendale, Wis. (Greendale)

Alex Buck S 6-2 185 Fr.-HS Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

65 Pete Cary OL 6-4 270 Fr.-HS Cincinnati, Ohio (Turpin)

80 Kelvin Chandler WR 6-2 185 Sr.-1L Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard/Pittsburgh)

77 Cory Christianson OL 6-2 280 Fr.-HS Apple Valley, Minn. (Holy Angels)

18 Kyle Cinzio P 6-3 200 So.-TR Newtown, Pa. (Council Rock North/Rutgers)

43 Casey Cline FB/TE 6-3 235 Fr.-RS Gibson City, Ill. (GCMS)

41 Jayme Comer LB 6-2 220 Fr.-HS Brownsburg, Ind. (Brownsburg)

30 Graham Corcoran S 5-10 185 Jr.-1L Warrenville, Ill. (Wheaton-Warrenville South)

70 Michael Cross OL 6-5 290 So.-1L Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

48 Pat Cucci LB 6-1 240 Sr.-3L Winter Springs, Fla. (Winter Springs)

23 Austin Davis S 6-1 195 Fr.-HS Normal, Ill. (Normal Community)

63 Charles Dennis OL 6-3 305 Fr.-RS San Antonio, Texas (East Central)

Jake Detmers LB 6-4 220 So.-TR Normal, Ill. (Normal Community/Quincy)

73 Billy Dickson OL 6-5 280 Fr.-HS Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

79 Tyler Doering OL 6-5 285 Fr.-RS Barrington, Ill. (Barrington)

98 Joe Doyle LS 6-2 235 Jr.-1L Worcester, Mass. (Wellington [Fla.]/Antelope Valley CC)

29 Reggie Dozier CB 5-9 170 Fr.-HS Pratteville, Ala. (Pratteville)

16 Preston Earl QB 6-2 225 So.-1L Lincolnshire, Ill. (Stevenson)

89 Dean Eastman WR 6-4 190 Fr.-HS Eureka, Ill. (Eureka/Army Prep)

82 Steven Fetzer K 5-11 185 So.-1L Mahomet, Ill. (Mahomet-Seymour)

34 Parrish Fisher TB 5-10 210 Sr.-1L Richardson, Texas (J.J. Pearce/Kansas State)

25 Chris Garrett CB 6-0 175 Jr.-1L Concord, Calif. (De La Salle/Diablo Valley CC)

31 Cliffton Gordon TB 5-10 210 Fr.-RS Chicago Heights, Ill. (Marian Catholic)

92 Blake Gumm DL 6-2 305 Jr.-TR Somerset, Ky. (Pulaski County/Trinity Valley CC)

1 Khenon Hall S 5-9 195 Jr.-TR Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff/Trinity Valley CC)

35 Garin Harcar FB 5-11 255 Jr.-2L Grand Ridge, Ill. (Ottawa)

Osric Hayes FB 6-0 235 Jr.-Sq. Urbana, Ill. (Urbana)

53 Brian Hehl LB/DL 6-4 250 Fr.-HS Toledo, Ohio (Sylvania Northview)

24 Kelvyn Hemphill CB 6-2 180 So.-1L San Antonio, Texas (O’Connor)

28 Brent Holtz S 6-0 200 So.-Sq. Bloomington, Ill. (Bloomington)

49 Josh Howe LB 6-0 225 Fr.-RS Chicago Heights, Ill. (Marian Catholic)

42 James Hoyt FB 6-0 240 Fr.-RS Moline, Ill. (Moline)

67 Landon Humbles OL 6-4 265 Sr.-1L Peoria, Ill. (Richwoods)

71 Jon Ingerman OL 6-8 280 Fr.-HS Springfield, Ohio (Northeastern)

40 Kane Keirnan FB 6-3 225 Fr.-HS Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard West)

19 Bobby Kelsey P 6-1 220 Sr.-3L Channahon, Ill. (Providence Catholic)

87 Drew Kempe WR 6-3 205 Jr.-Sq. Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton North)

no. name Pos. Ht. wt. yr. Hometown (HS/Previous college)

4 Drew Kiel QB 6-3 220 Fr.-RS Columbus, Ind. (East)

81 Marcus King WR 6-4 210 Fr.-RS Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

20 Casey Kociuba S 6-1 190 So.-1L Liberty Hill, Texas (Liberty Hill)

6 Zach Kutch K 5-9 172 Jr.-TR Milton, Fla. (Milton/Auburn)

68 Erik Madsen OL 6-3 280 Sr.-2L Bolingbrook, Ill. (Joliet Catholic)

27 Jermaine Malcolm S 6-4 210 So.-Sq. San Antonio, Texas (Holmes)

52 Mark Martin LB 6-0 245 Fr.-RS Milwaukee, Wis. (Riverside University)

36 Kevin Mazur P/K 5-11 190 Sr.-2L Mt. Prospect, Ill. (John Hersey)

51 Cal McCarthy OL 6-2 270 Fr.-RS Shorewood, Ill. (Minooka)

3 Warren McCarty WR 6-4 205 Jr.-2L Roscoe, Ill. (Hononegah)

39 Walter Mendenhall TB 6-0 225 Sr.-TR Skokie, Ill. (Niles West/Illinois)

47 Kedric Meredith TE 6-3 270 Sr.-3L Peoria, Ill. (Richwoods)

88 Kevett Mickle WR 6-3 200 Sr.-2L Orlando, Fla. (Boone/Hillsborough CC)

37 Josh Mitchell CB 6-0 165 Fr.-RS Bloomington, Ill. (Bloomington)

11 Dekendrick Moncrief WR 6-1 182 Fr.-HS Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)

Matt Mose WR 6-3 195 Fr.-RS Waukegan, Ill. (Warren Township)

9 Tom Nelson S 6-0 200 Sr.-3L Arlington Heights, Ill. (John Hersey)

69 Joe Niklasch OL 6-4 290 Sr.-3L Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead)

7 Andrew Paschal LB 6-2 210 Sr.-1L Largo, Fla. (Largo/Ft. Scott CC)

83 Matt Paska WR 6-4 215 Fr.-HS Normal, Ill. (Normal West)

58 Doni Phelps DL 6-1 255 Jr.-TR San Pablo, Calif. (Albany/City College of San Francisco)

62 Mike Piton DL 6-2 275 So.-1L Palos Hills, Ill. (Stagg)

Nathan Rebholz LS 6-1 220 Fr.-RS Bloomington, Ill. (Central Catholic)

56 Michael Rhines DL 6-2 250 Jr.-TR Orange, Texas (Little Cypress-Mauriceville/Blinn JC)

26 Cortes Rice TB 6-2 215 Jr.-2L Los Alamitos, Calif. (Los Alamitos)

76 Chris Riley OL 6-5 280 So.-1L Wadsworth, Ill. (Warren Township)

91 Dave Rivas DL 6-3 245 So.-1L Chicago, Ill. (Gordon Tech)

10 Jake Rourke WR 6-3 195 Sr.-3L Chatham, Ill. (Glenwood)

84 Eyad Salem WR 6-2 180 Jr.-1L Elgin, Ill. (Larkin/Minnesota State-Moorhead)

78 Brannon Sanford OL 6-3 270 Fr.-HS Hickory, Ky. (Graves County)

59 Ray Sankey DL 6-2 220 Fr.-RS Maywood, Ill. (Proviso East)

66 Mike Seefeld OL 6-2 265 Fr.-HS Cudahy, Wis. (Cudahy)

45 Kyle Siskowic LB 6-1 225 Jr.-2L San Diego, Calif. (Clairemont)

Mike Slack FB 6-1 210 So.-Sq. Wadsworth, Ill. (Warren Township)

96 Babtunde Soyebo DL 6-5 250 Jr.-1L Lagos, Nigeria (South Shore [Ill.])

60 Tom Speer DL 6-4 230 Jr.-2L Macomb, Ill. (Macomb)

61 Jonathan St-Pierre OL 6-3 305 Sr.-2L Longueuil, Quebec (Edouard-Montpetit/Miami [Fla.])

21 Jason Tate CB 5-11 175 Jr.-2L Lake Mary, Fla. (Seminole)

38 Tony Trujillo LB 6-2 230 So.-1L Salt Lake City, Utah (Cottonwood)

33 Brett Werner-Powell FB 6-2 205 Fr.-HS Mequon, Wis. (Homestead)

90 Pat Wertz DL 6-4 240 Fr.-HS Orland Hills, Ill. (Andrew)

50 Tommie Westbrook LB 6-0 230 So.-1L Chicago, Ill. (Gordon Tech)

32 Bert Whigham DL 6-4 240 Jr.-1L Lake Mary, Fla. (Seminole)

5 Cody White TE 6-5 250 Fr.-RS Bloomington, Ill. (Normal West)

99 Nick Williams DL 6-2 285 Sr.-1L Plantation, Fla. (Plantation/Pittsburgh)

44 Wesley Williams DL 6-1 255 Sr.-1L Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer/Fullerton JC)

57 Brandon Wilson LB 6-2 240 Jr.-2L San Antonio, Texas (John Jay)

95 Keenan Wimbley DL 6-2 245 Fr.-RS Ococee, Fla. (Edgewater)

75 Dane Zumbahlen OL 6-5 260 So.-1L Morris, Ill. (Morris)

2008 Alphabetical Roster

30

2008 Numerical Roster no. name Pos. Ht. wt. yr. Hometown (HS/Previous college)

1 Khenon Hall S 5-9 195 Jr.-TR Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff/Trinity Valley CC)

2 Barima Akuoko TB 6-1 200 Fr.-HS Springfield, Ill. (Southeast)

3 Warren McCarty WR 6-4 205 Jr.-2L Roscoe, Ill. (Hononegah)

4 Drew Kiel QB 6-3 220 Fr.-RS Columbus, Ind. (East)

5 Cody White TE 6-5 250 Fr.-RS Bloomington, Ill. (Normal West)

6 Zach Kutch K 5-9 172 Jr.-TR Milton, Fla. (Milton/Auburn)

7 Andrew Paschal LB 6-2 210 Sr.-1L Largo, Fla. (Largo/Ft. Scott CC)

9 Tom Nelson S 6-0 200 Sr.-3L Arlington Heights, Ill. (John Hersey)

10 Jake Rourke WR 6-3 195 Sr.-3L Chatham, Ill. (Glenwood)

11 Dekendrick Moncrief WR 6-1 182 Fr.-HS Prattville, Ala. (Prattville)

12 Kevin Brockway QB 6-4 225 Sr.-3L Crystal Lake, Ill. (South)

13 Matt Brown QB 6-4 210 Fr.-HS Marion, Ill. (Marion)

16 Preston Earl QB 6-2 225 So.-1L Lincolnshire, Ill. (Stevenson)

18 Kyle Cinzio P 6-3 200 So.-TR Newtown, Pa. (Council Rock North/Rutgers)

19 Bobby Kelsey P 6-1 220 Sr.-3L Channahon, Ill. (Providence Catholic)

20 Casey Kociuba S 6-1 190 So.-1L Liberty Hill, Texas (Liberty Hill)

21 Jason Tate CB 5-11 175 Jr.-2L Lake Mary, Fla. (Seminole)

22 Geno Blow TB 5-11 195 Jr.-2L Seabrook, Texas (Clear Lake)

23 Austin Davis S 6-1 195 Fr.-HS Normal, Ill. (Normal Community)

24 Kelvyn Hemphill CB 6-2 180 So.-1L San Antonio, Texas (O’Connor)

25 Chris Garrett CB 6-0 175 Jr.-1L Concord, Calif. (De La Salle/Diablo Valley CC)

26 Cortes Rice TB 6-2 215 Jr.-2L Los Alamitos, Calif. (Los Alamitos)

27 Jermaine Malcolm S 6-4 210 So.-Sq. San Antonio, Texas (Holmes)

28 Brent Holtz S 6-0 200 So.-Sq. Bloomington, Ill. (Bloomington)

29 Reggie Dozier CB 5-9 170 Fr.-HS Pratteville, Ala. (Pratteville)

30 Graham Corcoran S 5-10 185 Jr.-1L Warrenville, Ill. (Wheaton-Warrenville South)

31 Cliffton Gordon TB 5-10 210 Fr.-RS Chicago Heights, Ill. (Marian Catholic)

32 Bert Whigham DL 6-4 240 Jr.-1L Lake Mary, Fla. (Seminole)

33 Brett Werner-Powell FB 6-2 205 Fr.-HS Mequon, Wis. (Homestead)

34 Parrish Fisher TB 5-10 210 Sr.-1L Richardson, Texas (J.J. Pearce/Kansas State)

35 Garin Harcar FB 5-11 255 Jr.-2L Grand Ridge, Ill. (Ottawa)

36 Kevin Mazur P/K 5-11 190 Sr.-2L Mt. Prospect, Ill. (John Hersey)

37 Josh Mitchell CB 6-0 165 Fr.-RS Bloomington, Ill. (Bloomington)

38 Tony Trujillo LB 6-2 230 So.-1L Salt Lake City, Utah (Cottonwood)

39 Walter Mendenhall TB 6-0 225 Sr.-TR Skokie, Ill. (Niles West/Illinois)

40 Kane Keirnan FB 6-3 225 Fr.-HS Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard West)

41 Jayme Comer LB 6-2 220 Fr.-HS Brownsburg, Ind. (Brownsburg)

42 James Hoyt FB 6-0 240 Fr.-RS Moline, Ill. (Moline)

43 Casey Cline FB/TE 6-3 235 Fr.-RS Gibson City, Ill. (GCMS)

44 Wesley Williams DL 6-1 255 Sr.-1L Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer/Fullerton JC)

45 Kyle Siskowic LB 6-1 225 Jr.-2L San Diego, Calif. (Clairemont)

46 Keauntea Bankhead LB 6-0 220 Jr.-TR Seattle, Wash. (Ballard/Arizona Western CC)

47 Kedric Meredith TE 6-3 270 Sr.-3L Peoria, Ill. (Richwoods)

48 Pat Cucci LB 6-1 240 Sr.-3L Winter Springs, Fla. (Winter Springs)

49 Josh Howe LB 6-0 225 Fr.-RS Chicago Heights, Ill. (Marian Catholic)

50 Tommie Westbrook LB 6-0 230 So.-1L Chicago, Ill. (Gordon Tech)

51 Cal McCarthy OL 6-2 270 Fr.-RS Shorewood, Ill. (Minooka)

52 Mark Martin LB 6-0 245 Fr.-RS Milwaukee, Wis. (Riverside University)

53 Brian Hehl LB/DL 6-4 250 Fr.-HS Toledo, Ohio (Sylvania Northview)

no. name Pos. Ht. wt. yr. Hometown (HS/Previous college)

54 Mario Bailey DL 6-2 220 Fr.-HS Kankakee, Ill. (Kankakee)

55 Eric Brunner DL 6-2 255 Fr.-RS Greendale, Wis. (Greendale)

56 Michael Rhines DL 6-2 250 Jr.-TR Orange, Texas (Little Cypress-Mauriceville/Blinn JC)

57 Brandon Wilson LB 6-2 240 Jr.-2L San Antonio, Texas (John Jay)

58 Doni Phelps DL 6-1 255 Jr.-TR San Pablo, Calif. (Albany/City College of San Francisco)

59 Ray Sankey DL 6-2 220 Fr.-RS Maywood, Ill. (Proviso East)

60 Tom Speer DL 6-4 230 Jr.-2L Macomb, Ill. (Macomb)

61 Jonathan St-Pierre OL 6-3 305 Sr.-2L Longueuil, Quebec (Edouard-Montpetit/Miami [Fla.])

62 Mike Piton DL 6-2 275 So.-1L Palos Hills, Ill. (Stagg)

63 Charles Dennis OL 6-3 305 Fr.-RS San Antonio, Texas (East Central)

65 Pete Cary OL 6-4 270 Fr.-HS Cincinnati, Ohio (Turpin)

66 Mike Seefeld OL 6-2 265 Fr.-HS Cudahy, Wis. (Cudahy)

67 Landon Humbles OL 6-4 265 Sr.-1L Peoria, Ill. (Richwoods)

68 Erik Madsen OL 6-3 280 Sr.-2L Bolingbrook, Ill. (Joliet Catholic)

69 Joe Niklasch OL 6-4 290 Sr.-3L Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead)

70 Michael Cross OL 6-5 290 So.-1L Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

71 Jon Ingerman OL 6-8 280 Fr.-HS Springfield, Ohio (Northeastern)

73 Billy Dickson OL 6-5 280 Fr.-HS Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

74 Nick Bledsoe OL 6-1 295 Fr.-RS Wheeling, Ill. (Wheeling)

75 Dane Zumbahlen OL 6-5 260 So.-1L Morris, Ill. (Morris)

76 Chris Riley OL 6-5 280 So.-1L Wadsworth, Ill. (Warren Township)

77 Cory Christianson OL 6-2 280 Fr.-HS Apple Valley, Minn. (Holy Angels)

78 Brannon Sanford OL 6-3 270 Fr.-HS Hickory, Ky. (Graves County)

79 Tyler Doering OL 6-5 285 Fr.-RS Barrington, Ill. (Barrington)

80 Kelvin Chandler WR 6-2 185 Sr.-1L Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard/Pittsburgh)

81 Marcus King WR 6-4 210 Fr.-RS Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

82 Steven Fetzer K 5-11 185 So.-1L Mahomet, Ill. (Mahomet-Seymour)

83 Matt Paska WR 6-4 215 Fr.-HS Normal, Ill. (Normal West)

84 Eyad Salem WR 6-2 180 Jr.-1L Elgin, Ill. (Larkin/Minnesota State-Moorhead)

87 Drew Kempe WR 6-3 205 Jr.-Sq. Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton North)

88 Kevett Mickle WR 6-3 200 Sr.-2L Orlando, Fla. (Boone/Hillsborough CC)

89 Dean Eastman WR 6-4 190 Fr.-HS Eureka, Ill. (Eureka/Army Prep)

90 Pat Wertz DL 6-4 240 Fr.-HS Orland Hills, Ill. (Andrew)

91 Dave Rivas DL 6-3 245 So.-1L Chicago, Ill. (Gordon Tech)

92 Blake Gumm DL 6-2 305 Jr.-TR Somerset, Ky. (Pulaski County/Trinity Valley CC)

93 Adam Blankenship DL 6-2 235 Sr.-2L Tulsa, Okla. (Union/Nebraska)

94 Nick Broome DL 6-4 240 Fr.-HS Columbus, Ind. (East)

95 Keenan Wimbley DL 6-2 245 Fr.-RS Ococee, Fla. (Edgewater)

96 Babtunde Soyebo DL 6-5 250 Jr.-1L Lagos, Nigeria (South Shore [Ill.])

98 Joe Doyle LS 6-2 235 Jr.-1L Worcester, Mass. (Wellington [Fla.]/Antelope Valley CC)

99 Nick Williams DL 6-2 285 Sr.-1L Plantation, Fla. (Plantation/Pittsburgh)

Antonio Adams CB 6-1 195 Jr.-Sq. Urbana, Ill. (Urbana)

Alex Buck S 6-2 185 Fr.-HS Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community)

Jake Detmers LB 6-4 220 So.-TR Normal, Ill. (Normal Community/Quincy)

Osric Hayes FB 6-0 235 Jr.-Sq. Urbana, Ill. (Urbana)

Matt Mose WR 6-3 195 Fr.-RS Waukegan, Ill. (Warren Township)

Nathan Rebholz LS 6-1 220 Fr.-RS Bloomington, Ill. (Central Catholic)

Mike Slack FB 6-1 210 So.-Sq. Wadsworth, Ill. (Warren Township)

31

Letterwinners Returning (43)Offense (19) 22 Geno Blow TB 5-11 195 Jr.-2L 12 Kevin Brockway QB 6-4 225 Sr.-3L 80 Kelvin Chandler WR 6-2 185 Sr.-1L 70 Michael Cross OL 6-5 290 So.-1L 16 Preston Earl QB 6-2 225 So.-1L 34 Parrish Fisher TB 5-10 210 Sr.-1L 35 Garin Harcar FB 5-11 255 Jr.-2L 67 Landon Humbles OL 6-4 265 Sr.-1L 68 Erik Madsen OL 6-3 280 Sr.-2L 3 Warren McCarty WR 6-4 205 Jr.-2L 47 Kedric Meredith TE 6-3 270 Sr.-3L 88 Kevett Mickle WR 6-3 200 Sr.-2L 69 Joe Niklasch OL 6-4 290 Sr.-3L 26 Cortes Rice TB 6-2 215 Jr.-2L 76 Chris Riley OL 6-5 280 So.-1L 10 Jake Rourke WR 6-3 195 Sr.-3L 84 Eyad Salem WR 6-2 180 Jr.-1L 61 Jonathan St-Pierre OL 6-3 305 Sr.-2L 75 Dane Zumbahlen OL 6-5 260 So.-1L Defense (20) 93 Adam Blankenship DL 6-2 235 Sr.-2L 30 Graham Corcoran S 5-10 185 Jr.-1L 48 Pat Cucci LB 6-1 240 Sr.-3L 25 Chris Garrett CB 6-0 175 Jr.-1L 24 Kelvyn Hemphill CB 6-2 180 So.-1L 20 Casey Kociuba S 6-1 190 So.-1L 9 Tom Nelson S 6-0 200 Sr.-3L 7 Andrew Paschal LB 6-2 210 Sr.-1L 62 Mike Piton DL 6-2 275 So.-1L 91 Dave Rivas DL 6-3 245 So.-1L 45 Kyle Siskowic LB 6-1 225 Jr.-2L 96 Babtunde Soyebo DL 6-5 250 Jr.-1L 60 Tom Speer DL 6-4 230 Jr.-2L 21 Jason Tate CB 5-11 175 Jr.-2L 38 Tony Trujillo LB 6-2 230 So.-1L 50 Tommie Westbrook LB 6-0 230 So.-1L 32 Bert Whigham DL 6-4 240 Jr.-1L 99 Nick Williams DL 6-2 285 Sr.-1L 44 Wesley Williams DL 6-1 255 Sr.-1L 57 Brandon Wilson LB 6-2 240 Jr.-2L Special Teams (4) 98 Joe Doyle LS 6-2 235 Jr.-1L 82 Steven Fetzer K 5-11 185 So.-1L 19 Bobby Kelsey P 6-1 220 Sr.-3L 56 Kevin Mazur P/K 5-11 190 Sr.-2L

Starters Returning (14)Offense (5) 5 Garin Harcar FB 5-11 255 Jr.-2L 47 Kedric Meredith TE 6-3 270 Sr.-3L 69 Joe Niklasch OL 6-4 290 Sr.-3L 10 Jake Rourke WR 6-3 185 Sr.-3L 61 Jonathan St-Pierre OL 6-3 305 Sr.-2L Defense (9) 93 Adam Blankenship DL 6-2 235 Sr.-2L 48 Pat Cucci LB 6-1 240 Sr.-3L 25 Chris Garrett CB 6-0 175 Jr.-1L 24 Kelvyn Hemphill CB 6-2 180 So.-1L 9 Tom Nelson S 6-0 200 Sr.-3L 62 Mike Piton DL 6-2 275 So.-1L 99 Nick Williams DL 6-2 285 Sr.-1L 44 Wesley Williams DL 6-1 255 Sr.-1L 57 Brandon Wilson LB 6-2 240 Jr.-2L

Squad Members (6)Offense (3) Osric Hayes FB 6-0 235 Jr.-Sq. 87 Drew Kempe WR 6-3 205 Jr.-Sq. Mike Slack FB 6-1 210 So.-Sq. Defense (3) Antonio Adams CB 6-1 195 Jr.-Sq. 28 Brent Holtz S 6-0 200 So.-Sq. 27 Jermaine Malcolm S 6-4 210 So.-Sq.

Redshirt Freshmen (18)Offense (11) 74 Nick Bledsoe OL 6-1 295 Fr.-RS 43 Casey Cline FB/TE 6-3 235 Fr.-RS 63 Charles Dennis OL 6-3 305 Fr.-RS 79 Tyler Doering OL 6-5 285 Fr.-RS 31 Cliffton Gordon TB 5-10 210 Fr.-RS 42 James Hoyt FB 6-0 240 Fr.-RS 4 Drew Kiel QB 6-3 220 Fr.-RS 81 Marcus King WR 6-4 210 Fr.-RS 51 Cal McCarthy OL 6-2 270 Fr.-RS 83 Matt Mose WR 6-3 195 Fr.-RS 5 Cody White TE 6-5 250 Fr.-RS

Defense (6) 55 Eric Brunner DL 6-2 255 Fr.-RS 49 Josh Howe LB 6-0 225 Fr.-RS 52 Mark Martin LB 6-0 245 Fr.-RS 37 Josh Mitchell CB 6-0 165 Fr.-RS 59 Ray Sankey DL 6-2 220 Fr.-RS 95 Keenan Wimbley DL 6-2 245 Fr.-RS

Special Teams (1) 54 Nathan Rebholz LS 6-1 220 Fr.-RS

Transfers (9)Offense (1) 39 Walter Mendenhall TB 6-0 225 Sr.-TR

Defense (6) 46 Keauntea Bankhead LB 6-0 220 Jr.-TR Jake Detmers LB 6-4 220 So.-TR 92 Blake Gumm DL 6-2 305 Jr.-TR 1 Khenon Hall S 5-9 195 Jr.-TR 58 Doni Phelps DL 6-1 255 Jr.-TR 56 Michael Rhines DL 6-2 250 Jr.-TR

Special Teams (2) 18 Kyle Cinzio P 6-3 200 So.-TR 6 Zach Kutch K 5-9 172 Jr.-TR

Incoming Freshmen (21)Offense (13) 2 Barima Akuoko TB 6-1 200 Fr.-HS 13 Matt Brown QB 6-4 210 Fr.-HS 65 Pete Cary OL 6-4 270 Fr.-HS 77 Cory Christianson OL 6-2 280 Fr.-HS 73 Billy Dickson OL 6-5 280 Fr.-HS 89 Dean Eastman WR 6-4 190 Fr.-HS 71 Jon Ingerman OL 6-8 280 Fr.-HS 40 Kane Keirnan FB 6-3 225 Fr.-HS 11 Dekendrick Moncrief WR 6-1 182 Fr.-HS 83 Matt Paska WR 6-4 215 Fr.-HS 78 Brannon Sanford OL 6-3 270 Fr.-HS 66 Mike Seefeld OL 6-2 265 Fr.-HS 33 Brett Werner-Powell FB 6-2 205 Fr.-HS

Defense (8) 54 Mario Bailey DL 6-2 220 Fr.-HS 94 Nick Broome DL 6-4 240 Fr.-HS Alex Buck S 6-2 185 Fr.-HS 41 Jayme Comer LB 6-2 220 Fr.-HS 23 Austin Davis S 6-1 195 Fr.-HS 29 Reggie Dozier CB 5-9 170 Fr.-HS 53 Brian Hehl LB/DL 6-4 250 Fr.-HS 90 Pat Wertz DL 6-4 240 Fr.-HS

Letterwinners Lost (21)Offense (11) 17 Jared Dall WR 5-11 195 7 Luke Drone QB 6-2 210 86 Jason Horton WR 6-0 185 78 Brandon Joyce OL 6-5 310 42 Jeremy Joynt TE 6-3 255 33 Ansu Kpandeyenge TB 5-10 205 83 Dave Mordis FB 6-3 265 2 Rafael Rice TB 5-11 220 65 Bill Speiser OL 6-5 300 41 Dan Weiner WR 6-1 195 66 Isaiah Wiggins OL 6-4 290 Defense (9) 1 Jesse Caesar S 5-10 190 59 Bill Hronec LB 6-2 225 97 Kaschiev Hunter DL 6-2 300 31 Kurt James S 6-1 205 30 Garry Roberts S 6-2 210 90 Dan Simnick DL 6-2 270 6 Kye Stewart LB 6-0 210 94 Jarek Thomas DL 6-3 275 58 Mark Whitaker LB 6-1 200

Special Teams (1) 85 Tyler Funk K 6-0 170 So.-1L PronunciationsBarima Akuoko ...............bah-REE-mah ah-COO-ah-COOKeauntea Bankhead ........................................ kee-ON-tayNick Broome ......................................................... BROOMEric Brunner ....................................................... brew-NERKyle Cinzio ........................................................sin-ZEE-ohGraham Corcoran ...........................................CORK-or-anPat Cucci .......................................................... COO-cheeTyler Doering .....................................................DOOR-ingKhenon Hall ..........................................................KEY-nanBrian Hehl ...................................................................HAILGarin Harcar ..........................................GARE-in HAR-carDrew Kiel ...................................................................KEELDrew Kempe ........................................................KEM-peeCasey Kociuba ............................................. coe-SEE-bahKevett Mickle ..........................................kuh-VET MICK-ulJoe Niklasch ...................................................... NICK-lashMike Piton ...........................last name rhymes with "kitten"Nathan Rebholz ................................................ REB-holesEyad Salem ............................................. EE-odd SAY-lemKyle Siskowic ...................................................SIS-co-wickBabtunde Soyebo ...................BOB-toon-day SOY-ay-bowTony Trujillo .................................................TRUE-hee-yohDane Zumbahlen .......................................... zum-BAH-len

2008 Personnel Breakdown

32

2008 Pre-Season Two-Deep40

5050

40

04

SpecialistsPlace-kickerSteven FetzerZach Kutch

PunterBobby KelseyKevin Mazur

Long SnapperJoe DoyleNathan Rebholz

Offense

OX receiverEyad SalemJake Rourke

Oright TackleMike Cross

Tyler Doering

Oright GuardJoe Niklasch

Landon Humbles

Ocenter

Jonathan St-PierreCharles Dennis

OLeft GuardErik Madsen

Cal McCarthy/Nick Bledsoe

OLeft TackleChris Riley

Dane Zumbahlen

OTight End

Kedric MeredithCody White

OQuarterback

Kevin BrockwayPreston Earl/

Drew Kiel

OTailback

Geno BlowParrish FisherClifton Gordon

OZ receiver

Kelvin ChandlerMarcus King

OFullback

Garin HarcarCasey Cline/James Hoyt

XDefensive End

Doni PhelpsTom Speer/

Michael Rhines

XDefensive Tackle

Nick WilliamsDave Rivas/Blake Gumm

XDefensive Tackle

Mike PitonEric Brunner

XDefensive End

Adam Blankenship Ray Sankey/

Babtunde Soyebo

XwLB

Anthony TrujilloJosh Howe

XMLB

Tommy WestbrookPat Cucci

XSLB

Brandon Wilson Kyle Siskowic

XStrong Safety

Kelvyn Hemphill Khenon Hall

XcornerbackChris Garrett

Antonio Adams XFree SafetyTom Nelson

Casey Kociuba/Jermaine Malcolm

XcornerbackJason Tate

Kelvyn Hemphill

Defense33

2007 IN RevIew• Illinois State went 4-7 overall and 2-4 in the Missouri

Valley Football Conference. The Redbirds owned a 4-4 mark heading into week nine, but dropped their final three games, which were all against top-25 teams.

• For the sixth-straight season, Illinois State produced the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s top-tackler after Kye Stewart posted a league-best 131 tackles.

• Stewart finished fourth in the voting for the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award, while Luke Drone began the season on the 2007 Walter Payton Award Watch List.

• For the first time in Illinois State history, the Redbirds had three players rush for 100 yards or more in the same game. As pictured below, rafael rice (182), Geno Blow (122) and cortes rice (110) each totalled 100-plus rushing yards against Indiana State at Hancock Stadium.

• Offensive lineman isaiah wiggins played in the Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Classic.

• During the course of the season, the Redbirds totaled three player-of-the-week honors.

• Drone became the first Illinois State student-athlete to be named a semifinalist for the 2007 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, while he was also the first Redbird to be named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.

• Jesse caesar (DB), Stewart (LB) and Wiggins (OL) all earned first-team All-Valley Football accolades.

• Stewart became the sixth Redbird in school history to be named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America Team.

• Stewart finished the season ranked tied for seventh nationally in tackles. The Redbird linebacker averaged 11.91 tackles-per-game.

• Drone ended his Illinois State career with a 140.82 passing efficiency rating, which is the best in school history. Drone’s rating topped the old record by 13 points.

• With a 60.9 career pass completion percentage, Drone claimed another school mark by bettering Danny Barnett’s (1992-94) 59.0 career percentage.

• Drone also ranks second in ISU history for career passing yards (8,123), passing touchdowns (61) and passing completions (610).

• Tom nelson earned second-team All-Valley Football honors for the second-straight season. He also set the school standard for career kickoff returns (56) and career kickoff return yards (1,220).

• The Redbird defense totaled six interceptions on the year, with three against Heisman Trophy-finalist Chase Daniel of Missouri. Two of Daniel’s thrown interceptions in the game against Illinois State were picked off by Nelson, who also had two interceptions in the 2006 game at Kansas State.

• Jason Horton ended his ISU career with the fifth-best career receiving yards total (1,778) and the fourth-best reception total (112) in school history.

• Illinois State finished the season with 2,194 rushing yards, which marks the third-straight season the Redbirds have rushed for more than 2,000 yards. It is only the second time in school history that the Redbirds have strung together three-straight 2,000-yard rushing campaigns.

ALL-AMeRIcA UISU has produced at least one all-American player in 22 of its last 25 seasons. Over the last eight seasons, 30 players from 12 different positions have been honored. Kye Stewart was an all-America selection in 2007.

TRANSFeRABLeSince 1993, when the NCAA rules changed to allow FBS transfers immediate eligibility at the FCS level, Illinois State has had 54 players transfer from FBS schools. ISU’s FBS transfers on this year’s roster include: adam Blankenship (DL, Nebraska); Kelvin chandler (WR, Pittsburgh); Kyle cinzio (P, Rutgers); Parrish Fisher (TB, Kansas State); Zach Kutch (K, Auburn); walter Mendenhall (TB, Illinois); Jonathan St-Pierre (OL, Miami [Fla.]); and nick williams (DL, Pittsburgh).

NOTABLe NewcOMeRSSince the Valley Football Conference began recognizing an all-newcomer team in 1994, 47 Redbirds have been cited for achievement in their first season. In 2007, defensive back Kelvyn Hemphill and wide receiver Eyad Salem added their names to the list.

GIMMIe A I-A ... eR, FBSWhen the Redbirds travel to Marshall Aug. 28, it will be the 14th-straight season that Illinois State has played a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent. The last time the 'Birds didn't schedule an FBS game was in 1994. It will also mark ISU's first-ever game against a Conference-USA opponent.

ANOTheR ONe BITeS The DUST With victories last season at both No. 14 Eastern Illinois (24-21) and No. 12 Youngstown State (27-22), the Redbirds have posted at least one victory over a ranked foe in 10 of the last 11 seasons.

what Returns in 2008?Total yards .......................................... 43.6%all-Purpose yards ............................... 61.1%rushing yards .................................... 52.1%Passing yards ....................................... 0.6%receiving yards .................................. 66.7%Tackles ................................................. 55.8%

Sacks ................................................... 57.1%interceptions ....................................... 50.0%Scoring ................................................ 66.7%Punting .............................................. 100.0%Punt returns ....................................... 94.4%Kickoff returns ................................... 68.0%

The ThRee DeGReeS OF ST-PIeRRe While Jonathan St-Pierre begins his third season with the Redbirds, he has already walked across the stage to receive two degrees, a bachelor's in economics from Illinois State and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Miami (Fla.). St-Pierre is on pace to finish with three degrees by the time the Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, native leaves ISU in 2009. He is currently working on his master's degree in economics and is on target to have it completed in May 2009. In addition to three degrees, St-Pierre was also selected in the second round of the 2008 Canadian Football League Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

SALeM’S LOT The football seemed to gravitate toward Eyad Salem down the stretch in 2007. In the final three games, he recorded 20 catches for 315 yards, while scoring three touchdowns. Salem finished the year second on the team in both catches (31) and receiving yards (460).

SPINNING The TURNSTILeS With the over-capacity crowd of 15,118 at the Oct. 27 home finale versus Western Illinois, ISU finished its 2007 home slate with the second-highest average attendance in Hancock Stadium history. The Redbirds averaged 13,010 fans at home last season, which was second only to 1970, when the team averaged 14,300 fans at Hancock Stadium. In addition, the Family Day attendance of 15,118 was the 10th-highest attendance total in the history of the facility.

whAT A RUSh The Redbirds finished 2007 averaging 4.68 yards per carry. The average yards-per-rush ranks as the fourth-best average in school history. ISU also averaged 199.5 rushing yards per game in 2007, which ranks among the top-10 rushing seasons in Redbird history.

GEno BLow, raFaEL ricE & corTES ricE

2008 Redbird Notebook

34